The Public Health France study was conducted with more than 15,000 children and teachers, and 10,000 parents.
This is the first study on the subject in France: published today by Public Health France (SpF), it reveals that among school children aged 6 to 11, 13% present at least one probable disorder of Mental Health.
It is the Covid-19 period that encourages the establishment of monitoring of the prevalence of mental health among the youngest.
Enabee study: specific questionnaires
The study was conducted in mainland France, from May 2 to July 31, 2022 with more than 15,000 children and teachers in nearly 400 schools, and 10,000 parents.
The most edifying result is therefore the fact that 13% of children aged 6 to 11 have at least one probable mental health problem. A figure similar to those found in other European countries, in the same population.
“Probable emotional disorder”
Nolwenn Regnault, who is in charge of the perinatal, early childhood and mental health unit at SpF, told AFP that “The majority of children only suffer from one disorder, but some can combine several”.
More specifically, 5.6% of children have a “probable emotional disorder”either an anxiety disorder (separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, specific phobias) or depression.
“Probable oppositional disorder”, ADHD…
And 6.6% of them show a “probable oppositional disorder” (anger, provocation, etc.), and another 3.2% probably have persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Probable emotional disorders are more regularly observed in girls, and those relating to behavior more often in boys.
On the other hand, the data collected does not make it possible to highlight disparities according to school level and sector of the school (public schools outside the priority education networks (REP) and private schools in comparison with public schools REP or REP+) .